Decorative studs attached to gift items

ABSTRACT

A sign that incorporates decorative studs that are affixed into holes or recesses in the sign. The studs have a uniform base portion, and have different decorations on their heads. Another embodiment is a plush toy having buttonholes in various locations for inserting decorative studs.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is in the field of signs and toys having removabledecorative studs.

2. Description of the Related Art

Plaques, wooden boards, picture frames, signs, and the like have longbeen crafted to be aesthetically pleasing, and are often given as gifts.Plush toys, such as stuffed animals, are also aesthetically pleasing andare often given as gifts. Once given they never change, even though theowner may change his or her feelings or mood or attitude. The value ofthe object could be enhanced if there were some way the owner couldmodify some aesthetic property of the object. What is needed, therefore,is an aesthetically pleasing object that can be customized by the ownerto suit his or her wants.

SUMMARY

The invention is an apparatus that satisfies the need for anaesthetically pleasing object that can be customized by the owner tosuit his or her wants. One embodiment of the invention is a plaque,wooden board, picture frame, or sign that incorporates decorative studsthat are removably affixed into holes or recesses. The studs have auniform base portion, and have different decorations on their heads.Another embodiment is a plush toy having buttonholes in variouslocations for inserting decorative studs. These and other features,aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become betterunderstood with regard to the following description, claims, andaccompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sign having recesses for decorative studs according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a picture frame having recesses for decorative studs accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a chalkboard having recesses for decorative studs according tothe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plush toy having buttonholes for decorative studs accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a book having recesses for decorative studs according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a decorative stud according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another decorative embodiment of the stud according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is the sign of FIG. 1 with decorative studs installed.

FIG. 9 is the picture frame of FIG. 2 with decorative studs installed.

FIG. 10 is the chalkboard of FIG. 3 with decorative studs installed.

FIG. 11 is the plush toy of FIG. 4 with decorative studs installed.

FIG. 12 is the book of FIG. 5 with decorative studs installed.

DESCRIPTION

I. Signs with Studs

General Description

This invention is for a sign which can include boards, picture frames,plaques and the like that will be referred to in this application assigns. These signs can be made of wood, metal, ceramics, plastic, orother similar material. These signs will incorporate studs, buttons,pegs and the like for decorative purposes to be referred to in thisapplication as studs. The decorative studs would be affixed to the signsby providing holes or recesses in the sign to receive the studs. In use,the users would want to apply and change the studs based on their mood,occasions, special events, holidays and the like without limitation andthat way it provides a unique aesthetic appeal.

In a preferred embodiment, the studs are JIBBITZ decorative objects madeby Jibbitz, LLC, though other studs could be used. The studs have auniform attachment portion for attaching to the sign, but can have manydifferent decorative designs on the heads of the studs. Examples areflowers, butterflies, and the like.

Manner and Process of Making

One method of making said signs out of a wood object would be to drillholes or recesses in a piece of wood, the holes or recesses sized toaccommodate the stud so that it does not fall out in normal use.

Use

In use, the user would select one or more from a variety of studs havingdifferent decorations on them to express the user's want, mood, andaesthetic desires.

II. Plush Toy with Studs

This invention is for a plush toy such as a stuffed animal to bedecorated with button-like objects or studs, as with the version forsigns. The studs can be the same as with the signs above.

The plush toy is provided with buttonholes, e.g., slits or holes,adapted to receive and secure the studs.

Manner and Process of Making

One method of making plush toys suitable for the present invention is toprovide a pre-fabricated plush toy, and then make buttonholes with abuttonhole machine and a knife or scissors to make slits or holes inseveral locations on the toy. The buttonhole machine provides stitchingthat reinforces the buttonhole. However, buttonholes can also beprovided without stitching if desired.

Use

In use, the user would select one or more from a variety of studs havingdifferent decorations on them to express the user's want, mood, andaesthetic desires.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIG. 1, a sign 102 that may or may not have writing ordecoration on it can be provided with at least one hole or recess 101where one may later put studs. In FIG. 2, the holes or recesses 101 areput in a picture frame 103. FIG. 3 shows holes or recesses 101 put in achalkboard 104. FIG. 4 shows another embodiment, wherein buttonholes 101are put in a plush toy 105. A last example, FIG. 5, shows holes orrecesses 101 put in a book cover, photo album, journal or the like 106.These are meant to be examples of the different contexts that theinvention can be used in, and should not be construed as limiting theinvention to these contexts only.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show details of the studs 107A and 107B. The head of thestud 107A has a butterfly on it, and the base of the stud is a standardsize for fitting into standard holes or recesses. The head 110 of theother stud 107B has a flower on it, and it also has a standard base. Thetypical standard base comprises a shaft 112 and a tip 114. The tip 114preferably has a larger diameter than the shaft 112 so that it can beremovably secured like a button in a buttonhole. Therefore, the diameterof the tip 114 should be slightly smaller than the length of abuttonhole it will be used with. The tip 114 and shaft 112 should alsobe sized to correspond to or be in communication with the recesses orholes of the other embodiments so they can be removably secured to them.For example, the tip can be spherical or conical or other shape, and fittightly into a round recess. Any number of different designs for thestuds can be provided, and are not limited to only those shown in thedrawings.

FIGS. 8 through 12 show the various contexts of FIGS. 1 through 5respectively, but with the studs 107 attached at the hole or recesslocations. The aesthetic benefits of the present invention are evidentin these drawings.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Furthermodification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to thoseskilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed tobe within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. An apparatus comprising: at least one decorative stud, the studcomprising: a decorative head; a shaft to which the decorative head issecured; and a tip at the end of the shaft; and an object to bedecorated having at least one recess sized to receive a correspondingstud.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tip and shaft are roundand the tip has a diameter larger than that of the shaft.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the object to be decorated is a pictureframe.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object to be decoratedis a chalkboard.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object to bedecorated is a book.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object tobe decorated is a plaque.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theobject to be decorated is a sign.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe object to be decorated is a photo album.
 9. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the object to be decorated is a journal.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the recess is a buttonhole sized to fit tightly with acorresponding stud.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the object tobe decorated is a plush toy.
 12. A kit for making a decorated objecthaving changeable decorations when assembled, the kit comprising: aplurality of decorative studs, the studs comprising: a decorative head;a shaft to which the decorative head is secured; and a tip at the end ofthe shaft; and an object to be decorated having at least one recesssized to receive a corresponding stud.
 13. The kit of claim 12, whereinthe tip and shaft are round and the tip has a diameter larger than thatof the shaft.
 14. The kit of claim 12, wherein the object to bedecorated is a picture frame.
 15. The kit of claim 12, wherein theobject to be decorated is a chalkboard.
 16. The kit of claim 12, whereinthe object to be decorated is a book.
 17. The kit of claim 12, whereinthe object to be decorated is a plaque.
 18. The kit of claim 12, whereinthe object to be decorated is a sign.
 19. The kit of claim 13, whereinthe recess is a buttonhole sized to fit tightly with a correspondingstud.
 20. The kit of claim 13, wherein the object to be decorated is aplush toy.